Browsing by Author "Ndebele, Nduduzo. C"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Challenges of Youth Entrepreneurship from a Local Government Perspective in South Africa
    (Research Synergy Foundation, 2022-11) Ndebele, Nduduzo. C; Ndlovu, Sbonelo. G; Mlambo, Victor. H; Thusi, Xolani
    This paper examines the challenges of youth entrepreneurship and aims to understand whether the local government sector in South Africa can act as a catalyst in consolidating youth entrepreneurship. The local government sector is essential in South Africa as it is mandated to grow and improve local infrastructure and community services and contribute towards economic development. Opening opportunities for young people in the entrepreneurship domain can help reduce unemployment. Through funding and training opportunities, the local government sector, a branch of government closer to the people, can play a significant role in fostering youth entrepreneurship. A qualitative research approach was employed where a literature review was untaken. Findings revealed that an increasing youth unemployment rate faced South Africa, negatively affecting the need for inclusive development. The paper found that local government can contribute towards reducing youth unemployment by implementing programs encouraging and capacitating youth entrepreneurship and prioritizing entrepreneurship education. However, it was also revealed that the local government sector is confronted with several challenges, such as corruption, wasteful expenditure, and a lack of skilled personnel. Unless these issues are addressed, it will be impossible for the sector to consolidate policies that support and encourage youth entrepreneurship.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    University lecturers’ perceptions of the value, availability and accessibility of prescribed study material in South Africa
    (Cogent Education, 2022-11-26) Ndebele, Nduduzo. C; Masuku, Mfundo Mandla; ,Mlambo, Victor. H
    This study explored the pedagogical dimension of the new NSFAS book allowance funding model focusing on the availability of prescribed textbooks, the perceived impact on teaching and learning, and student's academic achievement. The study applied the human activity system approach (HAS) and the activity systems model within this approach as its theoretical framework. A sample of 10 lecturers drawn using convenience sampling participated in semi-structured inter-views designed within a phenomenology research framework. In the findings, lecturers reported a significant decline in the availability of prescribed textbooks among students and generally unsuccessful attempts to replace these with open educational resources. Consequentially the lecturers said the suboptimal academic performance was a direct output of the new NSFAS book allowance system. It was recommended that NSFAS engage lecturers in decisions relating to book allowance funding as their pedagogical approaches strongly relied on prescribed textbooks' availability. Universities should support policies and strategies that support the development, evaluation, and use of Open Educational Resources (OER) to increase the benefits of these resources while minimizing their risks to students' performance.